Arlie E. Waggy

Arlie Waggy, 92, of Goshen, died Monday afternoon, July 9, 2012, at Loyola University Hospital, Chicago, where he was a subject in a cardiac valve replacement clinical study. Although his obstructed heart valve was replaced using the new experimental method, surgical complications led to his death three weeks later. Mr. Waggy was born September 26, 1919, on Shenandoah Mountain, Pendleton County, West Virginia, one of twelve children of Harman and Ollie (Hoover) Waggy. He graduated from Franklin High School (WV) and attended Bridgewater College (VA) for one year. When the United States entered the second world war he registered as a conscientious objector. After denial of his claim by the draft boards of Pendleton County and the state of West Virginia, he obtained clearance from President Roosevelt and served for four years in Civilian Public Service (CPS), most of that time as an orderly at a Connecticut state hospital. After discharge at the war's end, Mr. Waggy earned a Bachelor's degree at Manchester College (IN) where he met his wife Naomi Whitacre. They were married by her father in the Petersburg Church of the Brethren (WV) on the evening of Dec. 24, 1947. Mr. Waggy earned a Master's degree in education at Indiana University and became a teacher of middle-school science. He and his wife moved to Goshen in 1955. He served most of his career at Concord Junior High School in Dunlap. During summers he worked as a mason's laborer and carpenter, drove trucks cross-country, and took his family on extended vacations to National Parks and other scenic destinations. Mr. Waggy was active in the Goshen City Church of the Brethren, serving on numerous committees and singing in the choir. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed collecting stamps from all nations. For the past ten years he was a faithful participant in a peace vigil held every Wednesday on the Elkhart County courthouse lawn. After Mr. Waggy's retirement, he himself built a house on Lake Waubee in Milford where he and his wife resided. During this time they were active in the Bethel Church of the Brethren in Milford (IN). They returned to live in Goshen and re-join Goshen City Church when his age made on-going maintenance of the house difficult. Following his wife's death while they were living at Greencroft in Goshen, Mr. Waggy moved into his son's and daughter-in-law's home in Goshen. Mr. Waggy is survived by three sons, Sherwood, Morris Plains, NJ, Norman and daughter-in-law Carol Spicher Waggy, Goshen, and Loren and daughter-in-law Deanna Dibert Waggy, South Bend, seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Waggy, San Mateo, Calif. Friends may call from noon until the 3 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012, memorial service at Goshen City Church of the Brethren. Pastor Bev Weaver will officiate. Burial, following cremation will be in Pendleton County, West Virginia. Memorial donations may be made Goshen City Church of the Brethren, Fellowship of Reconciliation, or any organization whose primary objective is the achievement of peace worldwide through non-violent methods, including the elimination of hunger and injustice.